The Coromandel ( Peninsula ) is one of
the many beautiful coastal places that New Zealand has to offer. From
sparkling clean beaches, with swimming, surfing and fishing, to high native bush covered hills ( not quite
NZ mountains due to the warmer weather and the northerly latitude –
although from time to time you will get snow ) crystal clear flowing
rivers and cascading waterfalls and greenery galore all make the Coromandel one of our very
favourite places to visit.
Living in Auckland ( a story in itself
that I will cover soon ) we are fortunate that the Coromandel is so
close. We can drive to our favourite spot in about 2 hours. To get to
the northern most tip another hour or a little more as you should take it slowly the road is rather winding and very spectacular.
The drive is pleasant and
relaxing once you clear the Bombay Hills which mark the southernmost
past of the city. South of the “ Bombays “ you find yourself in
the Waikato, a largely flat and fertile landscape whose focus is
largely farming and agriculture.
The Waikato district title comes from the Maori name for
a major river ( NZ's longest, but not largest by volume ) that is central to the area for many reasons,
irrigation, power generation and water supply being the some important reasons, and one with a very special spiritual, historical and family ( Whanau ) significance for Maori.
New Zealand roads are something else if
you have never been here. Apart from some multi-lane main highway
sections, usually near ( or between ) large cities, most roads are single lane in each direction. The speed
limit is 100kph but often you will find yourself slowing down to
80-90kph for corners and slower traffic. Passing lanes are eagerly
looked forward to by many road users.
Due to a succession of foresightless
Governments, N.Z's once proud Railway System has slowly been wound/ closed
down ( to only a couple of main trunk lines ) so you will encounter many large trucks on the road. Truck
drivers on the whole are very good drivers but inevitably you will come across hilly sections and are forced to slow down behind these
well laden behemoths. There are also large numbers of Campervans travelling around the country and they also are not going fast.
Getting back to the the Coromandel and and our drive there in an easterly direction still in the Waikato region. Beef and sheep farming is predominant and recently with
Spring arriving you will see baby calves and lambs in abundance,
adding to the experience of the drive. It never pays to hurry on New
Zealand roads.
1 ½ hours ( a traffic jam free drive ) after Auckland you arrive in
the Coromandel district and you will have noticed as you approach the
large and ominous looking mass of hills ahead of you.
You now have a choice of turning left
at the roundabout ( just past the big new bridge ) or right followed
quickly by a left over and through the hills to the east coast.
Even if you are heading to the East
coast it is worthwhile, if you have time, to go left as Thames is
only 5 minutes away. Thames is a pretty and historic gold mining town
and on Saturday mornings they have a great Farmers Market in the main
street. Good for all sorts of fresh produce as well as crafts
etc...the shops are all open and offer plenty of interest in antiques
and collectibles. There are a number of good cafes – we recommend
the Cafe Melbourne on the left hand side pretty much in the middle of
the main shopping area. Good food and coffee and a little different
in décor.
The architecture of the buildings in and
around Thames is fascinating with many old houses and shops
around 100+ years old.
I will continue this story soon and
load some photos of this special area.
Following extract taken from: www.teara.govt.nz
Discovery
In 1642 the Dutch explorer
Abel Tasman made the first confirmed European
discovery of New Zealand. He
charted the country’s west coast from about
Hokitika
up to Cape Maria van Diemen. Subsequently a Dutch map maker gave the
name Nieuw Zeeland to the land Tasman had discovered. A surprisingly
long time – 127 years – passed before another European reached New
Zealand.
James Cook first visited New Zealand in 1769, on the first of
three voyages.
He circumnavigated and mapped both main islands and returned to Britain
with reports about the country’s inhabitants and resources.
An Australian outpost
For 50 years after Sydney was founded in 1788, New Zealand was an
economic and cultural outpost of New South Wales, and most of the
earliest European settlers came from Sydney. In the late 18th century
sealers and
whalers
began visiting; by the early 19th century some began to settle, and
some to farm. During these years, New Zealand was part of a Pacific-wide
trade system, and New Zealand goods were sold in China.
